Noida: A seven-year-old child from NCR who was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure is now living dialysis-free following timely medical management, offering hope for children with severe kidney disease.The child was brought to a private hospital in March last year with symptoms including swelling in the body, reduced urine output, fatigue, poor appetite, and reduced activity levels. Initially appearing as a general illness, the symptoms prompted doctors to conduct a detailed medical evaluation. Eventually, the child was diagnosed with Stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD), the most advanced stage of kidney failure.Doctors found the condition was caused by Congenital Anomaly of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT), a birth-related condition that affects the structure and development of the kidneys and urinary system. In this case, both kidneys were hypodysplastic – abnormally small and underdeveloped – significantly reducing their ability to function. Over time, this led to progressive kidney damage and eventually kidney failure.The child already underwent a few dialysis sessions before arriving at the hospital. However, after assessing the patient’s condition and young age, doctors decided to pursue conservative medical management rather than continuing dialysis. The child was admitted for about 7 to 10 days and placed on a treatment plan aimed at stabilising body functions and slowing the progression of kidney damage.The approach included medicines, close monitoring, and guidance on diet and lifestyle. According to doctors, the child responded well to treatment and gradually stabilised. Over the past year, the patient remained under regular follow-up and is currently living dialysis-free with stable health.“Congenital kidney anomalies are a major cause of chronic kidney disease in children. Often, the early symptoms are vague and can go unnoticed until it ultimately flare up at older ages. However, with early detection and appropriate medical management, the progression of the disease can be slowed significantly,” said Dr Neha V Pandey, consultant paediatric nephrologist at Kailash Hospital.Doctors also note kidney problems among children under the age of 10 are being reported more frequently. Lifestyle factors such as high intake of salty junk and processed foods, sugary drinks, chronic constipation, poor bowel habits, inadequate sleep, and excessive screen time may place additional strain on young kidneys.Doctors say CAKUT accounts for nearly 40-50% of chronic kidney disease cases in children. “The condition includes a range of structural abnormalities such as renal aplasia, where kidneys are absent or poorly developed; hypodysplastic kidneys, which are small and poorly functioning; cystic kidney diseases, where fluid-filled cysts replace normal kidney tissue; posterior urethral valves that obstruct urine flow; and vesicoureteric reflux, in which urine flows backwards from the bladder to the kidneys,” said Pandey.“Apart from congenital causes, other conditions that can lead to chronic kidney disease in children include recurrent kidney infections, glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units), hereditary disorders affecting kidney function, cystic kidney diseases, and certain metabolic disorders or medications that may damage the kidneys,” the doctor further added.
